Where Liberalism Is Alive and Well!

Budgets Are Fun – Especially When Republicans Have To Play Too!

My thoughts on the President’s proposed budget are mixed. I’ll be honest and tell you that I won’t spend much time worrying about it because it is a long process and there will be many ups and downs along the way. Steve Benen continues to be the best blogger out there and since I frequently agree with him, I’ll just let him say it for me.

But Obama’s preferred approach is about making him appear reasonable against GOP extremism. As the fight progresses, the president will tell the public, “I presented a budget plan with deep cuts, even to programs I care about, which will lower the deficit considerably. Instead of working on a sensible compromise, Republicans are going too far and now want to shut down the government.” The point is to push the GOP into fighting the White House to do some very unpopular things — things the president and his team suspect Republicans will drop when push comes to shove, for fear of a public backlash.

Since the GOP won the House in November, I’ve been wondering how the budget process, including this current years budget, would work out. Republicans have been in “stupid” mode for two years, just saying anything they want, not proposing anything themselves, shooting at a big target presented by the mess left by the Bush administration. Someone had to get us out of the mess and it sure wasn’t Republicans stepping up to the plate and I guess since they were out of power, they had every reason to play the game that way. But now that they control the House and are responsible for writing the budget and passing laws, well, it’s time for them to step up to the plate.

I know some left bloggers are pissed at the President for comparing the government budget to a family’s budget, saying they are like apples and oranges. That may be true, but it doesn’t mean that the family budget analogy can’t be used to help the general public understand it. I think his tact is dead on, especially with so many village idiots entering the political process. If he doesn’t explain it in a way that the general population understands, he leaves himself open with Republicans using every trick they can to appeal to these folks. Education is the key to fighting against the Republicans tactics.

I’ll just wrap up this post with the idea that during the campaign, President Obama talked about being fiscally responsible and taking on tough issues including spending. I’m sure a large part of the progressive wing didn’t hear that or didn’t believe him, thinking he was just saying it to get elected. Well, just like with Afghanistan, he meant what he said and is doing exactly what he said he would do. I may not like it, but I knew it when I voted for him, so I’m dealing with it.

Hey I understand the poor because I am one pretty much. Not suffering as much as many but I make so little in the way of monthly income. I know how difficult it can be. Yet programs do need to be cut even if we cut massive military spending it simply wouldn’t be enough. Don’t get me wrong though I don’t like it anymore than the next guy and to be frank raising taxes would be better than endless budget cutting.

I can’t believe you typed a comment without an insult in it, frank. Are you back on your medicine? :)

I’ll never get the socialist country that I want, so I’ve come to terms with it. Unlike many who have unrealistic fantasies that we will all of a sudden become this progressive society. And instead of helping to get us there, they sit on the sidelines and throw shit at everyone who is trying.

Actually I have to disagree with you a little on this. Obama’s budget is more reasonable than most I’ve heard. Personally I think Obama needs to push for raising taxes across the board, and than do slightly less cuts than he originally proposed. Its honestly the only way.

I loved it when people got angry about Obama’s budget cutting and I was left wondering what were they expecting? When you cut taxes for almost everyone than the government has to cut programs. BTW the claim that cutting the military would work is ridicules. If we cut the military completely we’d still be in the red. If we pulled all our troops from the world and brought them home not only would we be in the red but the unemployment would be triple to what it is now.

The bottom line is that people love to talk about budget cuts but once you get in specifics people don’t like them anymore.

There is so much waste in the federal government that anything less than 100 billion is a waste of time. While one side of mouth says fiscal responsibility the other side of mouth says lets build a Lionel, and windmills. Lets tax the oil industry so we can drive up the cost of gas for everyone, especially the poor.

Maybe they could give money to a car company so they can make the engines in Mexico and the car in Canada.

Raise taxes on everyone but the % you raise, you have to cut the same % in government spending. Better yet go to the fair tax capture the underground economy. Unemployment is for 26 weeks, if you collect welfare and are capable of working, you work 15 hours per week for the city painting buildings, sweeping streets, etc.

This smacks in the face of the believers in totalitarianism, AKA progressives, because it will make people take some responsibility for their lives. Remember when the leftist party started “The Great Society” and they named a city that was going to be the poster child. Detroit didn’t quite measure up to their promises.

I personally agree with this. We all do need to deal with how Obama is dealing with our issues. We voted him president and its not an easy job that he has. Although our budget is scary to think about because it can go down hill very easily, he needs our support but hopefully he’ll be smart about this whole decision. Government spending needs to be careful and understand how the people in this country are suffering. the budget needs help and if raising taxes is the most safest way to help us then if need be, do it.

Who The Hell Am I!

I’m a liberal that is extreme in some ways and not in others. I support President Obama and make no apologies for it. I think he has done a phenomenal job, especially when you consider that he inherited a huge mess and has faced unprecedented opposition from a lazy & desperate Republican Party. I’m a film producer/director/editor, adjunct professor, technician, media critic and photographer when I’m not reading left wing blogs and typing on this one. – On Twitter @ExtremeLiberal or Email at liberalforreal (at) gmail.com

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